else BATHHOUSE – South Melbourne, Australia

on January 11, 2026

Photo Courtesy of else BATHHOUSE

A new sanctuary is set to open in the heart of South Melbourne in Mid 2026.

else BATHHOUSE is not a spa or a retreat but something more elemental, a modern bathhouse rooted in ancient traditions.

It is a place where time slows, stillness is sacred, and the simple act of bathing creates a transformative sense of pure belonging – a place like nowhere else.

Nestled within Emerald Hill in the historic heart of South Melbourne, and once home to wool trading and later Croft’s Grocery Empire, the heritage Bank Street site provided the perfect canvas.

Architects and designers have reimagined the space across three levels, preserving its character while transforming it into a real space of calm.

Flooded with natural light and framed by exposed brick, timber beams, a heritage lift shaft, and wool bale pulleys, the building itself becomes part of the ritual, a living reminder of Melbourne’s past now dedicated to renewal.

The heritage-listed space has been designed as a journey through a series of curated experiences: thermal baths, cold plunges, saunas, mud and steam room, alpine cabin, tranquil lounges, and Sky Bathing, in rooftop pools with sweeping views of the city.

Signature Aufguss rituals, led by expert sauna masters, anchor the experience and draw on centuries of global bathing traditions.

At its core, else BATHHOUSE is devoted solely to bathing as something restorative, inclusive and shared, with a heritage as old as civilisation itself.

Every element, from design to operations, is honed to elevate the act to its purest form.

Spread across three levels, the else experience invites bathers to move through a series of spaces that honour long-standing traditions while inviting a new rhythm into daily life.

The journey culminates in Sky Bathing, open-air pools that sit above the city, to create a celestial oasis in Melbourne’s stunning skyline.

From preserved brickwork and original early 1900s murals to the quiet presence of the surrounding bluestone laneway, every detail reflects a singular vision: to create an environment where guests leave not only rested but renewed.

The vision for else was born from a desire to offer Melbourne something both timeless and strikingly new.

Inspired by Roman thermae, Japanese onsen, and Moroccan hammams, the founders set out to create a sanctuary that honours authenticity and harmony while being entirely of its place.

To realise this ambition, they partnered with a world-renowned spa and bathhouse expert to shape an immersive experience crafted for Melburnians, visitors and bathing enthusiasts alike.

Paul Absalom, Founder, else BATHHOUSE, said, “else is about presence, it’s about slowing down and stepping away from the noise of everyday life.”

We wanted to offer something that would help people unwind and take care of themselves, a peaceful space woven into the rhythm of local life. Bringing else to South Melbourne felt natural.”

South Melbourne will be the first of several else destinations, with a second space to open in Bright, Victoria’s high country, and plans underway for additional Melbourne sites.

Yet at else, the focus remains simple: bathing not as trend but as a timeless experience of simplistic elegance.

Slow down, immerse yourself in elemental rhythms, and leave feeling revived and restored.

Photo Courtesy of else BATHHOUSE

Spa it Girl | Spa Escapes

Coming Soon List 2026

else BATHHOUSE

South Melbourne

Australia

www.elsebathhouse.com

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